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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Olfactory eavesdropping between two competing stingless bee species

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Author(s):
Lichtenberg, Elinor M. [1] ; Hrncir, Michael [2, 3] ; Turatti, Izabel C. [4] ; Nieh, James C. [1]
Total Authors: 4
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Calif San Diego, Div Biol Sci, La Jolla, CA 92093 - USA
[2] Univ Fed Rural Semi Arido, Dept Ciencias Anim, BR-59625900 Mossoro, RN - Brazil
[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Biol, Fac Filosofia Ciencias & Letras Ribeirao Preto, BR-14040901 Sao Paulo - Brazil
[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Quim & Fis, Fac Ciencias Farmaceut Ribeirao Preto, BR-14040903 Sao Paulo - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 4
Document type: Journal article
Source: BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY AND SOCIOBIOLOGY; v. 65, n. 4, p. 763-774, APR 2011.
Web of Science Citations: 21
Abstract

Foragers can improve search efficiency, and ultimately fitness, by using social information: cues and signals produced by other animals that indicate food location or quality. Social information use has been well studied in predator-prey systems, but its functioning within a trophic level remains poorly understood. Eavesdropping, use of signals by unintended recipients, is of particular interest because eavesdroppers may exert selective pressure on signaling systems. We provide the most complete study to date of eavesdropping between two competing social insect species by determining the glandular source and composition of a recruitment pheromone, and by examining reciprocal heterospecific responses to this signal. We tested eavesdropping between Trigona hyalinata and Trigona spinipes, two stingless bee species that compete for floral resources, exhibit a clear dominance hierarchy and recruit nestmates to high-quality food sources via pheromone trails. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of T. hyalinata recruitment pheromone revealed six carboxylic esters, the most common of which is octyl octanoate, the major component of T. spinipes recruitment pheromone. We demonstrate heterospecific detection of recruitment pheromones, which can influence heterospecific and conspecific scout orientation. Unexpectedly, the dominant T. hyalinata avoided T. spinipes pheromone in preference tests, while the subordinate T. spinipes showed neither attraction to nor avoidance of T. hyalinata pheromone. We suggest that stingless bees may seek to avoid conflict through their eavesdropping behavior, incorporating expected costs associated with a choice into the decision-making process. (AU)